Thursday, June 23, 2011

Finally

Finally

No soothsayer came to warn me, no brightly coloured oracle perched upon my windowsill two weeks ago to apprise me of my fate. There was no alteration in the skies floating far above my cottage roof, no ominous clouds to obscure my perpetually rose-tinted view. I suppose it is doubtful I would have properly believed such a warning had I heard it clear. If I had been told I would soon be ill and confined to my bed for two weeks, I would have pictured myself propped up comfortably on crisp linen sheets, clad in soft cotton pajamas, a stack of captivating new books at my elbow and a consistently hot pot of Darjeeling beside me at all times. There might have even been chocolate involved. I would have imagined myself talking on the phone to friends far and near, watching old movies, dozing occasionally and perhaps coughing delicately into a daisy embroidered hankie every now and then.

How could I have possibly imagined the repellent malady that crashed through my door and attached itself to that vision of ladylike illness like a iniquitous barnacle, refusing to budge over the whole of two weeks. For what began as a irritating summer cold turned into acute bronchitis, an infirmity I have never had before and do not wish to ever have again.

On the ninth day, I finally got myself to the doctor and received several big red pills along with come oddly coloured cough medicine, a concoction that brought me as close to hard drugs as I shall ever come in my entire life, I am sure, but one that does work. And finally, just today, I feel more like myself.

I have to thank you all so much for your get well wishes and fabulous tips! I have written them all down to save! Mentholatum on the bottoms of the feet?? Who knew? Actually, the suggestion from Angus was my favourite and I can assume it failed only because I used Talisker instead of Macallan. At any rate, as I said, today I feel much better and, while I do not pretend this experience was anything other than unpleasant, there were a few notes of interest I discovered along the way....

1. Edward Loves Honeydew Melon.

As he spent most of every day and night in bed alongside me, and as honeydew melon is one thing that feels so good to someone with a sore throat, naturally Edward got to try some.

He actually grinned.

So from then on, it was... “one for me, one for you”.

2. Technicolour Dreams

I’ve always known I dreamt in colour, but this week was unbelievable.

Bright, almost neon, dreams. And so intricately detailed.

Could it be that cough syrup, do you think?

3.A Migraine Just Makes Everything Worse

Always.

4. Summer Not Such A Bad Time

It is common wisdom that summer is the absolute worst season to have a cold. But honestly, I think that’s only true if you have to get outside. If you have the luxury of staying indoors in the air-conditioning, you can be completely comfortable and besides, who wants to be out in this sulky heat anyway?

If I were missing a gorgeous Autumn day, or a bright pink Spring morning, or a bracing Winter afternoon, then I’d really be upset.

5. Things Go On Just Fine

Even though I couldn’t possible ask for a better nurse than The Songwriter, for the first few days I was sick, I still attempted to direct things in my normal fashion.... “This needs to be done by then, They need to be called then”.... “Don’t forget this!... Oh remember this!”. After a couple of days though, I began to just not care as much. Truth is, The Songwriter is more than capable of handling whatever comes his way.

So from my spot curled up in bed, I could hear the jingle of dog leads and car keys and I knew life was continuing on just as it should. Bills got paid, dinners got cooked. The garden got watered, birthday cards got sent.

It’s really quite a relief to occasionally realize you are not so completely indispensible.

6. Media Vacuum

Watery eyes and a foggy brain made reading less than enjoyable whilst I was sick, and I did hate that.

But being media illiterate for a couple of weeks actually felt rather nice.

I mean, I missed the entire Anthony Weiner debacle.

Almost, almost.... worth getting sick for.

Like most girls who read Little Women, I always identified with Jo. Fiercely intelligent, feisty, independent - she was the March sister we all wanted to be. But after these past two weeks, I have found much more for sympathy for Beth. Languishing in her upstairs bedroom, weak as a kitten, whilst everyone else bounced all around her. Poor dear, it’s not all that much fun. Pitiful Camille, tragic Mimi, little Nell. For two dreadful weeks of bronchitis... these were my people!

But now I am tired of the consumptive Keats and Bronte.

I can feel the stirrings of new energy bubbling up between my bare toes like ocean foam.

Wonderful!! Feeling well feels so much better after being ill...everything will seem bright and shiny-new for a bit now.I've not tried honeydew with Miss. Ginger the Doxie yet but she *loves* watermelon so I think the honeydew will be an instant hit, especially because Edward loves it so...she's a little sweet on him!Happy getting back into the swing of things......xo J~

I'm so glad you're better. As the child of a heavy smoker, I grew up with colds, bronchitis, and pleurisy. In fact, one of my dominant childhood memories is of my mother rubbing Vicks onto my chest while smoking a cigarette. She bemoaned my puniest, but never dreamed that she might have been the cause of it.

I am so happy that you are feeling better. There is nothing better than having a faithful companion to lay by you and keep you company or to watch over you. My little Doxie, Munchen is the same way, I will have to try the melon, but for now her fruit of choice is cherries and apples.

Do not overdue it now that you are feeling a bit better, you do not want a relapse.

Hooray! So glad you on the upswing, Pamela, and are starting to do all the things you want to do.

I had bronchitis this spring. No fun, though the antibiotics and cough syrup took me over to the better side of it, as it did you. Take care and rest, dear soul. My cough and fatigue lingered and it took a total of six weeks to finally kick it out the door.

If one is to be ill, good to have a best friend near-by; though such a friend as Edward will never leave your side....glad to hear you are better. May this brief period be followed by a glorious summer....

Dear Pamela,I am so sorry that you have been so ill ..... I can't remember the last time I had a cold, let alone something that took me to my bed ( touch wood !!) It's good to hear that you seem to be over the worst of it and are now out of your sick bed.Here's to a healthy Summer and lots of honeydew melon for Edward.Keep well Pamela. XXXX

Dear Pamela, i have been away for eons (running ragged trying to catch up) and i arrive here to find you ill! So glad to know you are on the mend. It is a oddly satisfying (though short lived)feeling i find to discover that things get done still when one is detained lol. Do hope you are up and about again very soon x x

Dear Pam,Glad you are better. Sorry, I have been in lala land this last 2 weeks. I have to get THORS ashestoday. Give that handsome Songwriter a hug, he is wonderful and hug OUR Eddie for me. I have adopted Eddie via e-mail.yvonne

Buzzy McDuff and Pippa are intrigued and indicated they would very much like to try some honeydew melon - just like Edward - so it's on the shopping list. So glad you're up and feeling much better today...I think we were all starting to worry a wee bit. Stay well!

Hurray! You're up and at it again!! Glad to see you back. Happy Summer Soltice (a bit late). and, yes, lucky you for having missed the endless Anthony Weiner debacle. He may be done...but there will be another dork coming down the line...:(

Hi Pamela, I am in bed with bronchitis as well. Began as a sore throat, then the coughing kicked in, more like a bark really. The drugs I was given, red pills, red cough syrup(vicodin!) have made me feel better. I have had this before and the truth is once you’ve had it, it sort of lingers and stays hidden until you get a cold again. Your lungs are weakened by the whole thing. So you must be ultra dilligent in not catching a cold and take even better care of yourself. I got my cold while catching my friend play in his band at a bar. Loud music, shouting instead of talking, all weaken me. I’m still in my jammies and so out of it from the meds that I can’t finish a sentence...but coming round. all the best to you and yours..

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Recent experience with one friend in particular indicates to me that bronchitis needs to be attacked early on lest it develop into a full-blown case of pneumonia--and a week's stay in the hospital. Some folks seem to be reluctant to call the doc, play doc themselves, and hope it will "just go away" on its own. In any event, I'm sure Edward was a marvelous companion while you were under the weather.

Great to hear you are up and about while I am still duelling with the congestion in my lungs.Your post reminded me that I forgot the Vicks Vapour Rub on the soles of the feet, it really is amazing how that works.

you know, sometimes cold last and last and it sounds like you got a bad one. once my father caught the flu and it lasted six weeks!!! so glad you are getting better. it's horrible being sick in the heat of summer.

Yeah! In other words your lust for life is back and you want to taste it!I am so glad to hear you are over it and just remember to recover slowly! Give yourself a little more time to jump in the midst of it all!Much love - Victoria

YAY! I'm rejoicing with everyone else that you're feeling better and up and writing! :) I took pics of my pergola all dressed up this afternoon (with the 2 hour lull in the rain), and I REALLY hope you'll stop by and take a peak! :) xo,A

So glad you are feeling better! I linked to your post on Edward as a "Life Coach," and wanted to thank you. Your posts are really wonderful. Jennings buried his sweet Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Bailey, today, so your thoughts about the lessons we learn from our dogs were especially poignant. Thanks again. And very glad to know you are out from under the weather.

i do love your vision of a ladylike illness - it conjured up all sorts of images of times long past when ladies would take to their beds when ill health descended upon them. Glad your better - thank god for modern medicine.

I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!

About Me

Writer, Interior Designer, Baker, Knitter, Gardener, devoted to Beauty.. on the journey through life along with her big white furry wonderful dog... living in the American South and dreaming of the Scottish Highlands